[mjh]

Taurus 94, Charter Arms Pathfinder 4inch, or S&W New Model 63??? I've handled the 94 and the 63. Hearing the problems with the 94's and even with the $600 price on the 63 the S&W sure seems to be one sweet revolver. I've only seen a little discussion out there on the Charter Arms and certainly wouldn't expect the Smith detail but at the cheaper cost would it be worth looking at??? Just looking for a relatively accurate, smooth handling, long lasting, woods bumming, plinkings, small game, trap line DA revolver. Have enough $$ for the 94 or Pathfinder could wait and save a little more for the 63...Oh and by the way I have handled the 617 quite a bit, like it, its a maybe some day kinda revolver while the others are more in line what I'm looking for.

 

[j.r. guerra in s. texas]

If you can afford it, the S&W is likely the one which will not disappoint you. For the money, it better not. . The Taurus may or may not - you get mixed reports on their performance. My snubbie .22 Magnum 941 UL has worked fine - others report so-so. Charter Arms 2000 - agains, mixed reviews. Older, original revolvers were very well thought of - I have a 80's vintage .32 H&R Magnum I won't sell very soon, if ever. The .22 Pathfinders also had similar tendencies.

 

[Pete44ru]

[I've only seen a little discussion out there on the Charter Arms and certainly wouldn't expect the Smith detail but at the cheaper cost would it be worth looking at??? ]

Only if you are a fan of self-abuse.

My direct experience is with a new, Charter 2000 4" Pathfinder .22 Magnum, so I can't speak to the .22 L.R. models - but I wouldn't, at this point.

I am currently awaiting the factory to replace my revolver with another, plus the addition of an extra cylinder in .22 L.R. to make it a convertible - for my trouble(s).
So far, I've only gotten back a standard notice that it was received on July 2nd.

I've previously had both the Taurus & the S&W - Spend the extra $$$ on a Smith. Trust me on this.

 

[M2HB]

Smith and Wesson for sure. You may be able to buy a used 617 for a reasonable amount of you look around. The 63 seems to be expensive because they didn't make them for several years.

 

[54805]

Another vote for Smith & Wesson. I have been in love with my Smiths since I bought the first one in 1973 or thereabouts.

You'll never miss the extra money it costs.

In a 4" gun, I would look for a used M18. I have two; an old one and a new one with the underlug barrel. I guess the new one is technically a M17 but I've always considered the 4" barrel guns with ramp sights to be M18's.

 

[hans04]

If the S&W is in your price range, I would suggest it. Smiths are expensive, but are the nicest revolvers in my opinion. Excluding it, I would pick up a Taurus, but only if I could inspect it first. I just brought home a 94 2" blue today. I was able to handle it first at my dealers. No timing issues, locks up tight, no binding cylinder. I wiped the thick oil off and out of it, and fired two cylinders of Aguila Super Colibris through it just to check the function. It fired and ejected just fine. Tomorrow I will take off the side plate and clean out the heavy oil Taurus likes to glob in there and relube it. Taurus seems to have had their share of problem guns, not unlike many other manufacturers, but they also put out many good ones as well. Especially on the internet, you usually only hear about problems.

My local dealer sells the 4" Charters about as fast as he can get them, and hasn't had any complaints. They are a tad rough for my taste though.

 

[Evil Dog]

I'd be watching for a vintage S&W K-22. No idea what they are going for now as I haven't been looking lately. Definitely worth the wait though... you won't be disappointed.

 

[Savagenut]

i'd go for the s&w , also . as the saying goes ; "you get what you pay for" !!

 

[CajunBass]

I'd be watching for a vintage S&W K-22. No idea what they are going for now as I haven't been looking lately. Definitely worth the wait though... you won't be disappointed.

I just bought a Model 17, made in 1971. I paid a few pennies under $500.00 for it. I had checked "Gunbroker" and that seems about the going price for "shooters." I noticed yesterday the same dealership had another one on the rack for the same price. I don't know if the trigger had been worked on or if it just got nice over the years, but the trigger is something to write home to mom about.

I looked at a Taurus a few months ago. The S/A pull wasn't too bad, but the D/A felt like it was full of rocks. It might slick up in time, but I elected to go with a Ruger Bearcat instead.

Another option if you can find one is a Dan Wesson. I've got one and it is a GREAT revolver. If it has a downside, it's the fact that it's a BIG, HEAVY gun. It's about the size of an "L" frame Smith and Wesson. The upside is that you can change the barrel length and the entire grip quite easily. They shoot like a laser beam, at least mine does. They generally go for less than a Smith and Wesson, but that is changing as people start to catch on to them. They show up on Gunbroker from time to time.

You can get a good idea the size of the Dan Wesson, (left center) here. Smith and Wesson 17 at the top, Ruger Mk II below.

 

[M2HB]

You can't go wrong with a vintage S&W. A good model 17 or 18 would serve you well for generations. I would recommend a newer model 617 with a 10 shot cylinder and a 4" barrel. They balance real well and they don't show holster wear. They will look like new decades from now if you take care of them.

 

[mjh]

Thanks for the responses! I think I will bank the money I have now and save a little more for the Smith. I would go for an older one but it would be nice to have the 8 rounds of the 63 or even the 10 of the 617.

 

[Clem]

By all means, save your money for what you really want. I have a 5" 63-4. It is a terrific gun. I also have a vintage 17, a 4" 10 shot 617 and a 5" 6 shot 617. All are terrific.

Taurus' are not in my plans. I view them as having inconsistent QA. Some are ok and some are junk. I won't take a chance.

 

[Mississippi Dave]

I have another option for you. How about a Taurus Tracker. It has a 6.5" barrel. Mine is in stainless steel with a mat finish. The double action is good and the single action is great. It also shoots well. If you are willing to put up with a larger frame, longer barrel, less recoil and more weight, you might find this to be a good buy.